Baby bath



Dec. 13, 1949 w, STADLMAN 2,491,223

BABY BATH Fil ed Aug. 4, 1947 FlI5 2;.

. I N V EN TOR. Vl /'///'am d ad/man ATTOAN Y Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE William J. Stadlman, San Francisco cant.

Application August 4, 1944', SerialNo. 766.01 6

This invention relates to a device for bathing babies and particularly to such a device designed for use in connection with a receptacle such as a sink.

One of the major problems encountered by young families living in congested quarters is that connected with bathing the baby or babies as the case may be. This problem has been recognized and there are on the market a great number of devices alleged by their makers to facilitate this task. All such devices with which I am familiar, however, have a number of drawbacks and one of the most vexing concerns the storage of the device when not in use. For example, there are devices designed for use in conjunction with the ordinary bathtub, these being claimed to be a solution of the problem. However, the devices are cumbersome and awkward and inasmuch as they may not be left in the bathtub at all times, the problem of storage is acute.

Like observations hold with regard to most of the similar devices with which I am familiar. It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a structure for facilitating bathing of the baby, which structure is of such a nature that it may be, when not in use, stored in a very small space.

Another object of the invention is to provide the structure to be used in conjunction with a vessel or receptacle such as an ordinary sink or perhaps a lavatory, to support a baby conveniently for the various operations employed in its bath.

Other objects and some of the advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawing constituting part of this disclosure,

Figure 1 is a plan.

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the device in use in a sink.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 in Figure 1.

Foundation for the device is provided by two side bars I which may conveniently be made from pipe and are of a length sufliciently in excess of that of the common sink to allow for the ends being supported by the drainboard or by the end walls of the sink. In order to avoid marring the supporting surface, rubber ferrules 2 may be provided on each end of each bar.

The baby is to be supported on a flexible sheet member 3 secured at each side to the side bars I. The material may be a strong cloth such as 2 Claims. (01. 4*18'5) drill orduck. or may be of a waterproof nature if desired. In the .struct'ureshown, the sheet 3 is attached to'bar l by means of a sufliciently deep hem 4 to'allow insertion of the bars. Other equivalent means of securement may be employed in lieu of the one shown.

To hold the bars in their spaced position as indicated in Figure 1, there are provided a pair of U-shaped spacing members 5, the legs of which pass through apertures 6 provided in a plurality of pairs near each end of the bars I. Spacing members 5 have a function, additional to that of holding the side bars apart, of maintaining the entire assembled device free from substantial longitudinal movement relative to its support, and to this end the legs of the U-shaped members are suificiently long satisfactorily to engage the spaced walls of the sink or like receptacle over which the device is supported. Provision of a plurality of pairs of openings 6 is to allow the spacing members 5 to be located properly to cooperate with sinks or other receptacles of different sizes. Mounting of the device is clearly indicated in Figure 2.

The device as disclosed is not intended to form a vessel and to this end and for the convenience of the one bathing the baby and for the comfort of the baby, the supporting element 3 is conveniently formed in such shape as when mounted on the parallel side rods, to provide a gently sloping bottom as is clear from Figures 2 and 3. The actual shape of the element 3, not shown in flat plan, is therefore of a trapezoidal nature, the ends being parallel and the sides converging toward the left end as shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.

Another element which may be provided for convenience comprises the cut-out portions '1. These allow water to drain away from about the babys head and shoulders. The part above these openings may be drawn more tightly than shown, by properly shaping the sheet material, to constitute a. raised headrest, if desired.

In use the device will be assembled as indicated in Figure 1 and placed upon a sink, as indicated in Figure 2, the U-shaped spacers having been inserted in the side bars I so that the distance therebetween corresponds to that of the length of the sink. A baby placed upon the supporting sheet 3 will, in the ordinary sink, be conveniently under the water faucet and may, as I have determined, be bathed with considerable convenience and celerity.

Upon finishing with the bath, the device may be dried if desired, members 5 removed, and

3 the side bars and sheet rolled or folded to a compass approximating that occupied by an umbrella. Its storage thus provides little problem, even in the smallest apartment.

It will be obvious that minor modifications in details are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. For use in connection with a receptacle having spaced walls, a baby bath means comprising spaced parallel bars, a flexible sheet material member secured at each of two opposite edges to one of said bars, said bars each having complementary spaced pairs of openings, and a pair of U-shaped members having legs insertable in the aforementioned openings and constituting spacing means for the parallel bars, the ends of said bars when said means is in use being supported on the walls of the receptacle and maintained against longitudinal movement by the depending legs of said U-shaped spacing members.

2. A baby bathing device for use in conjunction with a receptacle having spaced walls, comprising side bars having a plurality of pairs of apertures, a pair of U-shaped spacer members REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,501,838 Amse] July 15, 1924 2,328,409 Belt et al. Aug. 31, 1943 2,358,003 DePuy Sept. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 116,978 Australia May 29, 1942 

